Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

It’s hard to think of any sports racer as passionate and fiery as the 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa. From its lithe form and pouncing pontoon fenders to an exhaust note that’s been compared to the sound of staccato magnificence, the 250 TR is simply the iconic 1950s Ferrari by which all others are to be measured. In the late 1950s and well into the early 1960s, Ferrari’s “Testa Rossas” were raced by a plethora of various drivers who even now, some 50+ years later, still stand out as some of the all-time greatest individuals to ever take to the track.

This was truly a perfect example of “man, moment and machine.” As the 1950s ended and gentlemen racers began to be replaced more and more by dedicated professionals, Ferrari provided a common tool by which both, for a short period of time, were judged as equals. Today those fortunate few who have had the chance to put one of these amazing machines through its paces will quickly explain that the car is truly a sum far greater than its individual components. Maserati’s 450S was more powerful, and Aston Martin’s DBR1 had cleaner aerodynamics. Nonetheless, the TR as a whole easily eclipsed and stands far out, above and beyond any of these other contemporary Sports Racers. Add to the fact that even a driver of limited capability and experience can use with near frequency and abandon the Testa Rossas capabilities in real-world tours, rallies and races. One can see why the few that are left are so sought out by collectors the world over.

Testa Rossa literally translates to Red Head – taken from the red-painted cam covers on the first four-cylinder 500 Testa Rossas. This was done as a tribute to the Ferrari engineers who had achieved nearly 100 bhp per-liter with their new client Sports Racer

Aside from being one of the most beautiful automotive designs of all time, the prices paid for Pontoon Fender Testa Rossas were also earned by their incredible competition record. The 250 Testa Rossa and its derivations won four Le Mans Championships and four World Constructors Championships.

This car was auctioned off by RM Auctions in August of 2010 at the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, California.